letters to editor

RAPIST BABA: SIGNS OF A BANKRUPT POLITICAL SYSTEM

The Haryana government tried its best to appease Baba till the very end. Has our political system gone so bankrupt that it cannot call a spade a spade? Politicians, irrespective of their political party allegiance or ideology (do they have any?) bow, neigh prostrate themselves at the feet of so-called gurus and babas to get votes. In return, these godmen demand their pound of flesh. Politicians are ever obliging. They donate aid liberally from government funds to such deras. From the PM to the CM, everyone has condemned the violence, but no one has hailed the court judgment. Isn’t it shameful?

Arun Hastir, Gurdaspur

II

A permanent and long-term solution or strategy needs to be put in place to permanently destroy the foundations of such Baba culture. It is also a fact that women were some of the staunchest supporter of the Baba. The supporters, as it is, need to be made accountable for the other crimes. Ranbir Singh Pannu, Amritsar

III

Haryana has witnessed several riots after BJP coming to power where the government did not take preventive measures. The statement of BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj in defence of Ram Rahim is an indication of indirect BJP support to convicted Baba. The Centre must dismiss the state government.

DP Gautam, via email

IV

Baba’s followers should take a lesson from the sentencing of the Baba and should keep their activities in check. Vote-bank politics cannot be done over people’s lives or destruction of property. Sukhdev Singh Minhas, Chandigarh

V

The decision that the Dera Sacha Sauda and the Baba’s properties be sold to pay for the destruction caused in Panchkula is welcome. It is high-time there was some political will to punish the masterminds of such perpetrators of violence. The judiciary has done its job and now we need the political class to take steps to root out the culture of such Babas once and for all. Aastha Bagga, Hoshiarpur

VI

It is unfathomable what motivates members of the public to die for a criminal. The failure of the state government to maintain peace is unpardonable. Nitish Sharma, Chandigarh

VII

When the self-proclaimed Baba was reveling in his larger-thanlife image, the media was telecasting his interviews to increase their Television Rating Points (TRPs). It might be harsh, especially after media personnel have been roughed up, but why did any of the channels not expose the Baba through a sting operation. If it could have changed the perception of the Baba, the fracas that happened on Friday, perhaps, might not have happened. Now, the media has to play an important role in the return and rehabilitation of dera followers. Capt Amit Arora (retd)

VIII

August 25 was a black day in the history of Panchkula and Haryana. It is incomprehensible that dera followers forgot that every religion teaches humanity. Nitin Singh, Ambala

IX

The complainants who stood by their statements and fought ion for 15 years deserve congratulations. The system and society must celebrate their courage. Shivangi Sharma

X

The Haryana CM let the state burn because the dera had supported his party in elections. Political parties let the dera grow and provided state patronage as it was a source of east votes. It is sad that despite such clear and brazen abdication of moral and constitutional responsibility, the Haryana CM is still clinging to power. Don’t politicians have any sense of shame? Harmanjeet Singh Sidhu, Sirsa

XI

The PM condemned violence the day after it had been effectively controlled. The question is why has no not sacked the Haryana chief minister? His actions and his words are not in consonance. Akhtar Mahmood

XII

The overwhelming feeling before the enraged citizenry of the country is that Haryana CM Khattar has to go. Yet, the BJP is sticking to its stand and, to the anger and shock of many, he will again escape any action. His dereliction of duty led to death of 38 citizens of the country. Yet, he will continue to be head a state. Why should people have to wait till elections to dislodge such an individual who has lost public faith? Brig Harish Malhotra

XIII

Had the Punjab and Haryana high court not intervened, the loss to property and human lives in Panchkula will have been manifold. The culture of such sects and other cults needs to be uprooted with finality. Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

XIII

Khattar may be a political asset for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), but as the CM he is a liability for citizens of Haryana and the state as he repeatedly fails in discharging his constitutional and moral duties, also the oath that he took before assuming office. He needs to be sacked immediately or the BJP will face the music in the elections.

Dilbag Rai, Chandigarh

REIN IN SAKSHI MAHARAJ

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj termed the conviction of the Baba as a conspiracy to malign Indian culture. Who will take PM Narendra Modi’s catchphrases like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ if his own party MPs do not honour courts and issue such insensitive and crass statements, supporting a rapist. The BJP leadership must take exemplary action against Sakshi and ensure that such motor-mouths are not tolerated in the political system. Tarsem Singh, Mahilpur